Question
Dear Gary,

I would like to aske why there is sometimes (L.) after a plant species name? What is it for? Does it need to be typed in "italic" as the species name?

Also, apart from (L.), is there any similar abbreviation?

Thanks!

Your sincerely,
raymond

Answer
Raymond,

You are refferring to the Author Designation.  This is a way to keep tracj of the person who first described the plant species.  L. stands for Linnaeus who developed our modern latin binomial used for plants.  There are lots and lots of these used.  It is always capitalized and not in italics.